Fastener



March 22, 1932. D A, BRENNAN L8576 FASTENER Filed Feb. 14,v 19502=SheetSSheet l March 22, 1932A. D A BRENNAN 1,850,376

FASTENER` Filed Feb. 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 22, 1932DANIEL A. BRENNAN, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FASTENER Application filedFebruary 14, 1930. Serial No. 428,391.

The invention relates generally to improvements in fasteners for bindingpaper together, such as, letters in a file; and more particularly to anew and improved fastener including a base having spaced tongues at itsends adapted to extend through apertures in the papers, and a keeperhaving similarly spaced apertures adapted to receive said tongues, theends of the latter being adapted to be bent downwardly toward each otherand clamped to said keeper. f

An object of the invention isto provide an improved fastener which ismore eiiicient, simpler and quicker to manipulate, and more l positivein binding than prior structures.

Another object is to provide the keeper with novel locks which arereadily slidable over the bent down tongues at their respective lines ofbend without sticking or becoming distorted. f f

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means, in the keeperoutwardly of its apertures, effective to tilt the locks to r facilitateengagement thereof with the bent 'J down tongues.

Another object is to provide novel means, in the keeper, to facilitatethe easysliding of the locks over the apertures and to retard n theirmovement after passing beyond said o apertures.

Another object is to provide novel means for binding thel tongues to thekeeper.

Another lobject is to provide novel means,

for holding the locks outwardly and clear of the apertures while thekeeper is detached from the tongues. l

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofan improvedfastener embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a ragmental longitudinal sectional -view taken throughy oneend of the keeper, with one tongue shown secured in struck down positionby the coacting lock, and with the outer position of the lock shown indotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental longitudinal sec tional view of the keeper andone lock, show ing the lock in position about to engage the associatedtongue.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view through the keeperand one lock of a modified forni of the invention, the associated tonguebeing shown partly in eleva- 6" tion and partly in section.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the keeper and lock shown inFig. 6 showing the lock in engagement with friction means on the keeper.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view of the keeper and lock shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental plan view of another modified form of keeper andlock.

Fig. 10 is a fragmental longitudinal sec- 70 tional view on an enlargedscale taken along line 10-10`oi` Fig. 9, the operative position of thelock being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 11 is. a fragmental longitudinal section taken through anothermodified formof keeper and lock.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental plan view of another modified form of keeper andlock. Y

Fig.l 13 is a fragmental plan view of another modiiied form of keeperand lock.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the keeper and lock-shownin Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmental transverse sectional view taken through thekeeper and a modified form of lock.

Fig. 16 is a ragmental longitudinal section of a modified form ofkeeper.

Paper fasteners of the type comprising a base with tongues adapted topass through apertures in papers and a keeper with regis- 90 teringapertures adapted to receive the tongues, in some instances, areprovided with locks slidable, in grooves formed in opposite sides of thekeeper. over the tongues after the latter are bent flat against thekeeper. In

such fasteners, however, diiculty is encountered in sliding the lockspast the bends in the tongues into position over the tongues since thelatter are necessarily elevated from the base of the keeper. No means-isprovided 10 SLO to start or ease the locks over these elevated portions,and consequently, impact is set up while trying to force the looks overthe bent down portions of the tongues. As a result, the locks becomedeformed, bentjand burred to such an extent that movement thereof intoposition over the tongues becomes difficult and frequently impossible,and at times to such an extent that movementover the keeper intoposition preparatory for insertion -of the tongues through the aperturesis impossible. Slight transverse corrugations which form in the tonguesas the latter are bent over repeatedly in use accentuate thesedifficulties, and also tend to injure the locksof prior fasteners. f

The present invention has, as one of its aims, theprovision of a new andimproved paper fastener that is not subject to the foregolng objectionsand disadvantages.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the fastenerconstituting the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base16 provided on its ends with spaced tongues 17 adapted to pass throughsimilarly spaced perforations in file papers (not shown). Preferably,the tongues 17 are substantially less in width than the body of saidbaseand are struck up substantially at right angles thereto; Each tonguepreferably is formed with a projection 18 adjacent its free end forapurpose that will hereinafter apar. The base 16 normally is positionedto li flush against the bottom of the file papers, and'a keeper 19,formed with perforations or slots 21 in opposite ends for receiving thetongues 17, is adapted to be placed against the top of the file papers.

Provided along opposite longitudinal edges of thekeeper are parallelguides or grooves 22. Preferably, these grooves are provided by bendingthe opposite longitudinal margins of the keeper upwardly and'theninwardly to form flanges 23 in spaced overlying relation to the base ofthe keeper. j serve to reinforce the keeper longitudinally againstbending, and also to define the grooves 22. l

Slidable in the grooves y22 on opposite ends of the keeper for movementfrom beyond the apertures 21 into position over the tongues when thelatter'are struck down againstY the keeper are two locks 24. Preferably,eaolt lock 24 is formed with an'elevated buttonl` portion 24a and aperipheral rim 25, at the lower end. the elevated portion being adapted4to slide between the flanges 23, and the rim to slide in the grooves22. The rim 25 preferably is flared outwardly and upwardly to facilitateits engagement with the tongue 17 with which it is to coact, and is alsoformed in its underside with an annular groove-26 for a (purpose thatwill be hereinafter explaine j I The flanges 23 v The outer ends of theflanges 23, preferably, are depressed as at 27, toward but spaced fromthe keeper. The elevated portions of the flanges at their outer endsvgradually taper downwardly until they merge with the.de pressedportions 27 to provide stops 28 for limiting the outward movement of thelocks 24. The flanges 23 preferably are also depressed at the center, asat 29, into close spaced relation to the keeper, the connecting areastapering gradually to provide stops 30 for limiting the inward movementof locks 24. The projections 18 on theI tongues l17 also serve to limitthe inward movement of the locks over the tongues.

It will be evident that upon outward movement of either lock 24, its rim25 will engage with the stops 28l formed in the flanges. A slightwedg'ing or binding engagement will be setup therebetween, and willserve to hold the lock in extreme position of adjustment, therebypreventing misadjustment. A similar result is obtained upon movementinto the extreme intermediate position of adjustment unless projection18 is in position to limit the movement.

The keeper is gformed at each end with an upward projection 31 betweenthe flanges 23 and outwardly of the adjacent aperture 2l for pointengagement with the corresponding lock to facilitate co-operation withthe tongue. In moving either lock 24 inwardly, it is cammed upwardly bythe projection 31 (Fig. 5) into position to engage over the tongue 17.

The fianges 23 of the keeper are Preferably tapered laterally from apoint adjacent the Iapertures, in both directions as at 32, to providemeans for frictionally engaging the elevated portion 24a of each look 24to retard its movement after it has passed over the underlying aperture21, thereby providing loose movement only over the aperture, intoengagement with the tongue, at the point where trouble most frequentlyoccurs, as hereinbefore referred to.

The operation of the fastener is substantially as follows. The tonguesare inserted through apertures in the paper to position the base againstone side. The tongues are then inserted through the apertures inthekeeper and are struck down toward each other against the keeper, thelooks being in 'a position outwardly of the apertures, as shown indotted. lines in Fi 2. Thereupon, the locks are moved inwardly to bindthe ltongues to the keeper. Upon urging either lock inwardly, theannular indentation or groove 26 is easily released from the stop 31,and the inner end ofthe lock s tilted upwardly until the edge of the rim25 engages with the under sides of the fianges 23 to facilitate itsmovement over the tongue 17, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Further inwardmovement of the lock lowers the rim into engagement with the itloutwardly ci the aperture.

tongue. The lock upon further inward4 movement, gradually binds betweenthe laterally tapering portions 32 of the flanges 23 until it isarrested by the stop 18 on the end of the tongue, which provides awedginfr action between the keeper, the tongue, andbthe flanges andresists movement of the lock outwardly from the tongue.

The modiiied form of the invention, shown in Figs. '6,17, and 8, isprovided with'locks which slide along'thev anges and are elevated fromthe keeper -body at all times to facilitate ease in manipulation. Ineach lock, the outer peripheral margin of the rim 25a is bentdownwardly, as at 33, and is provided with a substantially sharp edge toengage an abrupt upward projection 18a on the free end ofthe tongue.Stops 34 are provided on the ianges 23a to engage with an annular groove26a in each lock to yieldingly hold The anges 23a are bent down at theirouter ends as at 28a, and are depressed at substantially their medialportions as at 35, to limit the outward and inward movement of thelocks.

The modified form of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, issubstantially the same as that shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, except thatthe keeper 196 is provided with tapering central longitudinally alignedribs 36 for effecting a binding action between the locks, the tongues,and keeper at the center and'ends of the latter.' The locks 24?; are

in the form of flanged rings substantially U- shaped in cross sectionand the openings at the' center facilitate movement and prevent injuryto the user.

The modified form shown in Fig. 11 is substantially similar to the otherforms except that the iianges 23o taper at opposite sides of eachaperture Vtoward the keeper to provide a binding action between thelocks 240, keeper and tongues, and between, the keeper and locksoutwardly of the apertures.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 12, is substantially the same asthe other forms except that the elevated portion of each lock 24d isknurled or corrugated on its peripheryI to engage corrugation 37 in theinner edges of the flanges 23d. as means for arresting inward movement,and the keeper is depressed, as at 38 and/or 39, to facilitate easysliding of the Alocks thereover. Longitudinal ribs may be provided forsubstantially the same purpose.

The modied :form of keeper shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is substantially thesame as the other forms except that the elevated portion 41 of the lock24e is dat' on two sides, which prevents its rotation and' serves a1-ways to hold it in position for engagement of projections in its rimwith companion pro-l jections 42 in the flanges., The rim of the lock isbent down at its sides, as at 43, to hold it in elevation above thetongue so as to provide for easy engagement therewith.

The modified form of lock-24)F shown in Fig. 15 differs from that shownin Figs. 6 and 7 in that it has a bent down portion 44 in its rim forengaging the tongue 17.

The modified form of keeper shown in Fig.`

16 is provided with an elevated portion 45 adjacent each end to hold thelock 240 above the tongue.

It will be evident that I have provided a fastener in which the lockswillbe held either outwardly or inwardly of the apertures in position toprevent misadjustment. The locks are provided with means for effecting.easy 4vertical line engagement with the tongues in their bent downposition, and with means for tilting the locks into position formovement into position over the tongues. The locks are easily operatedwithout injury thereto or to the user.

- I claim:

l. A fastener comprising,.in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a Hat elongated base having spacedtongues, one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted-through said apertures and then bent down against said x keeper;parallel longitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above oppositesides of said keeper; and two locks on said keeper movable along saidiianges past said apertures to confine said tongues to said keeper, eachof said locks being formed with means for frictionally engaging betweenthe ends of said ianges and the base of said keeper, to

hold said locks yieldingly outwardly of said past said apertures,r eachof said locks being formed with means for frictionally engaging betweensaid tapered portions of the iianges and the base of said keeper to holdsaid locks yieldingly outwardly of said apertures.

3. A fastener comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a fiat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and `then bent down against said keeperg-parallellongitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposlte sides ofsaid keeper, said flanges being depressed toward the keeper inwardly ofsaid apertures to form stops; and two round locks on said apertures andthen bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinal flangesextending along and spaced above opposite sides of sa d keeper, saidflanges being depressed at substantially the medial portion,thejuneturesbetween the elevated portions and medial portion sloping gradually toconstitute wedge stops; twoilocks movable along said flanges,-

one from each end of the keeper into binding engagement with theadjacent stop tending to retain said lock in engagement therewith.

5. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said s tongue being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallellongitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides ofsaid keeper, the flanges converging laterally in both directions from apoint adjacent the apertures to constitute friction elements; and twolocks on said keeper movable along said flanges one along each pair ofopposed friction elements past the adjacent aperture i into yieldingengagement with said friction elements.

6. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallellongitudinal flanges extending along and spaced from opposite sides ofsaid keeper, the flanges converging gradually laterally of said keeperin both longitudinal directions from each aperture to constitutefriction elements, said flanges tapering at the ends toward said keeper;and two locks on said keeper movable along said flanges, one along thefriction elements at each end past the adjacent aperture into yieldingengagement with the frietio'nelements and into binding engagement withthe adjacent ends of said flanges tending to retain said lock inengagement therewith.

7. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated ykeeperhaving spaced apertures one in each end: a flat elongated base havingspacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallellongitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides ofsaid kee er, the flanges converging laterally of sai keeper in bothlongitudinal directions from said a ertures to constitute frictionelements, said anges tapering at the ends toward the keeper to providewedgefspace's; a projection in the base of said keeper outwardly ofyeach aperture; and two locks on sa1d keeper movable along saidflanges,"one along,

tures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spaced tongues oneon each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through saidapertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallel longitudinalflanges ezi-l tending along and spaced from opposite sides of saidkeeper, the flanges converging laterally in both directions fromopposite the ends of the apertures to constitute friction elements, saidflanges tapering at the ends toward the keeper providing taperingspaces; a projection outwardly of each aperture; and two locks on saidkeeper, each of said locks including an elevatedv portion and a rim,said elevated portion being adapted to engage said friction elements andsaid rim maintaining the lock in sliding engagement with said flanges. i

9. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper; parallellongitudinal flanges eX- tending along and spaced from opposite sides ofsaid keeper the flanges converging laterally in both directions fromadjacent the apertures to constitute friction elements, said flangesltapering at the ends toward the keeper providing tapering spaces; aprojection outwardly of each aperture; and 4two locks on said keeper,each of said locks including an elevated portion and a flared rim, saidelevated portion being adapted to engage said friction element and saidflared rim constituting means for facilitating sliding over said tonguefor binding in said spaces.

10. A fastener comprising, in combination, an' elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end; a flat elongated base having spacedtongues, one on each end, said -tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down `against said keeper; parallellongitudinal flanges extending along and spaced above opposite sides ofA said keeper; and two locks elevated from the i so a flat elongatedkeeper having spaced aper-- flanges past said apertures to confine thetongues to the keeper, each ofthe locks being,

formed with means for frictionally engaging means adjacent the end ofsaid flanges to hold the locks yieldingly outwardly of said apertures. y11. A fastener' comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be'insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, opposedguideway's formed along the longitudinal vedges of said keeper, circularlocks on opposite ends of said keeper, each lock comprising a peripheralrim slidably engaging at opposed points in said -guideways for movementpast the related aperture and an elevated grip portion. v

12. A fastener comprising, in combination,

an elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flatelongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongueslbeing, adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent downagainst said keeper, guides formed along the longitudinal edges of saidkeeper, and circular locks respectively in slidable engagement with saidguides at opposite ends of said keeper.

13. A fastener'comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, guidesformed along the longitudinal i edges of said keeper, and circular locksrespectively in slidable engagement with said guides at opposite ends ofsaid keeper, and means for limiting the movement of each lock along thekeeper past the related aperture in each direction. i

14. A fastener comprising, in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end, a fiat elongated base havingspacedtongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough said apertures andl then bent downagainst said keeper, guidesformed along the longitudinalv edges of said keeper, and circular locksmovable along said guides one at each end of said keeper, said guidesbeing deformed at spaced 'points at opposite sides of each aperture toconstitute limiting stops for the related lock.

15. A fastener comprising,in combination, an elongated keeper havingspaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base vhaving spacedtongues one on each lend, said tongues being adapted to be insertedthrough .said apertures and then bent down against said keeper, opposedguide flanges formed along the longitudinal edges of said keeper andspaced vertically therefrom, a pair of locks lock to tilt the latter forengagement with the related tongue.

16. A Afastener comprising, in combination,

an elongated keeper having spaced apertures.

one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on eachend,`said tongues being adapted to be inserted through =said aperturesand then' bent down against said keeper, opposed guide flanges formedalong the longitudinal edges of said keeper and spaced verticallytherefrom,a pair of locks mounted in opposite ends of said keeper formovement inwardly over the related aperture into engagement with therelated bent tongue, each lock having an elevated portion between saidfianges and aLrim underlying said flanges, and an upward projection insaid keeper outwardly of each aperture for engagement by the relatedlock to tilt the latter for engagement with the related tongue.

17. In a paper fastener, in combination a keeper, guides along thelongitudinal edges of said keeper, a lock having an elevated portionbetween said guides, and a peripheral base flange slidably coacting withsaid guides, said base flange being inclined upwardly and out; wardly. A

18. In a paper fastener, in combination a keeper, guides along thelongitudinal edges of said keeper, a lock having an elevated portionbetween said guides, and a peripheral base langeslidably coacting withsaid guides, said base iange being inclined upwardly and outwardly, saidbase flange being formed in its underside with an annular groove, and acam projection formed in said keeper for engagement in said groove, saidprojection being effective to tilt said lock upon movement -past saidgroove.

19. In a Vpaper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture,guides along opposite sides of said keeper, and a circular lock confinedto said keeper by said guides for movement past said aperture.

20. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture,guides along opposite sides of said keeper, and a circular lockk havingan elevated portion and a base flange, said flange beingconned by saidguides for movement along said keeper past said aperture.

21. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper having an aperture,guides along opp osite sides of said keeper, and a circular lock ieshaving an elevated portion and a base iiange,

the opposite longitudinal sides of said keepsaid flanges, and a circularlock having a peripheral groove slidably embracing the inner edges ofsaid flanges for movement past said aperture.

23. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper, elevated guideflanges formed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper,said keeper having an aperture between said flanges, and a ylock betweensaid flanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlying saidguide flanges, and a peripheral flangeunderlying said guide flanges.

24. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper, elevated guideflanges formed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper,said keeper having an aperture between said flanges, and a lock betweensaid flanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlving saidguide flanges, and a peripheral flange underlying said guide flanges.said guides being. deformed at one side of said aperture to constitute alimiting stop for said peripheral flange, the edge of said peripheralflange being sharpened and inclined downwardly.

25. In a paper fastener, in combination, a keeper elevated guide flangesformed along the opposite longitudinal sides of said keeper, said keeperhavingr an aperture between said flanges, and a lock between/saidflanges, said lock having an upper enlarged portion overlying said guideflanges, and a peripheral flange underlying said guide flanges, saidupper portion being formed with a recess in its underside, and aprojection formed on one of said guide flanges for engagement in saidrecess.

26. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated keeper, elevatedguide flanges along the longitudinal side edges of said keeper, saidkeeper being formed with a transverse aperture between said flanges, alock confined to said flanges for movement along said keeper past saidaperture, and two longitudinal ribs formed in said keeper between saidflanges and at opposite sides of said aperture, said ribs flaringupwardly away from said aperture.

27. In a paper fastener, in combination, an elongated keeper, elevatedguide flanges along the longitudinal side edges of said keeper, saidkeeper being formed with a transverse aperture between said flanges, acircular lock having a peripheral groove slidably embracingsaid flangesfor movement past said-aperture, and two longitudinal ribs a limitingstop positioned for wedging engf/,ien said keeper having an aperturebetween gagement with the underside of said lock.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature at 10 South La Salle Street,Chicago,

Illinois.

DANIEL A. BRENNAN.

